A is for ativan, W is for withdrawal

D is for damned, which is what i have felt like for the last three weeks.

i could go on like this for another 22 letters but except for the W i think i will stop. i have been experiencing ativan withdrawal and it’s like having all the anxiety attacks i have avoided or weaseled out of with ativan have been waiting to be unleashed when i say enough.

ativan is a drug used to control anxiety and panic disorder. i have been taking ativan for nearly seven years. every time i get an uptick in my anxiety level, my doctor puts me on a higher dosage. three weeks ago, i was taking three milligrams a day and it wasn’t making me feel particularly calm. but if i didn’t take it, lordy, was i a wreck.

in 2011 i had a new years resolution to meet all 325 of my facebook friends wherever on the planet they might be. i stopped being afraid of things because i was forced to do things i was afraid of every day of the year–fear of flying, of meeting new people, of leaving my own house.

three weeks ago i made a commitment to quit, which started as a drop down to one milligram and then two weeks ago became a dive off the cliff. every phobia i have possessed has returned. every inclination to not leave the house. and sleep? fuggedaboutit! i even felt a fear of posting a blog. just because i stopped doing it everyday. i have the shakes. i have had hideous asthma attacks. all side effects of withdrawal. i have given my ativan to a friend who is both close enough that i can get to the ativan in the case of a real emergency and someone i trust to not take all of them.

i can’t wait to tell my doctor that i don’t need a refill, thank you very much.

13 responses to “A is for ativan, W is for withdrawal”

yup took them for about 15 years,gave them up about 20 years ago……..and they are very addicting……..and they cause deep Depression when used for long term……but you know all sedatives and tranquilizers are. so i really know how you feel but the good news is if you have to resort to another Drug its ok because being on any one medication to long is not so good you usually find yourself having reverse effects…….i’m taking zanax o.5 mg i find them good for now but i’ve been taking them 10 years and yes i know the withdrawals are going to be crazy if i ever have to give them up but so far so good…..also i take 100mg of imipramine this is an old antidepressant but works well for me,wanted to share this with you cause these drugs help give me a new life….not a perfect one but at lest one i can enjoy a little better.cheers Gary.

So happy to hear that you’re beating it, ArLynn! Take it from someone who was raised by a grandmother from a Temperance organization: if you don’t “buy in” to the use of substances then you’ll never have to buy your way back out again. Onward and upward!